There is a simple yet important question we need to ask ourselves if we are to rebuild our party: Am I a leader?

It is a simple question but one we rarely ask. Leadership has become defined by the extraordinary, by those who are able to do things which many others cannot, but this means that when we do show leadership – even for a short period – we undervalue it or worse, we don’t acknowledge it at all.

During the recent local elections I stood (for the first time) as a paper candidate in my local ward. Despite my small chance of success (earning 5% of the vote would have been seen as a major coup) I decided to press on regardless and printed some leaflets. As the local party hadn’t resources to spare for a FOCUS run I decided to pay for some out of my own pocket and create Street FOCUS, meaning I only had to print 50 or so at a time. The major issue I focussed on in the tight roads of my local area was Residents Parking Permits and whether Blue Badge holders should have priority parking outside of their homes.

After a few days of leafleting I passed a leaflet to a couple as they were entering their home. After a quick scan of the piece of paper they remarked “Oh, so you’re the one talking about Resident’s Parking?” to which I confirmed I was, and after a brief chat I leant their daughter had Multiple Sclerosis. I also learnt that since I had begun been talking about the parking issues in the area, other residents had starting leaving a space for that family outside of their home.

I share this because leadership doesn’t have to be grand gestures or heroic deeds but it’s about people and how we impact on them. Leadership isn’t about changing the world but about changing someone else’s world.

Am I a leader? Yes; because we all are.

* Ian Thomas is the pseudonym for a party member. His identity is known to the Lib Dem Voice editorial team.